Is Akash Anand again in trouble with Mayawati? As BSP chief cracks the whip, confusion in party over her nephew’s position

Sources said Mayawati in a meeting with office-bearers in Delhi on February 17 communicated that Akash was “relieved of his responsibilities”. “But she did not clarify if he will continue to be party’s national coordinator and her successor. Also, nothing in writing was communicated about the decision,” said a party leader aware of the meeting outcome. The development has created confusion within the party regarding Akash’s position.

A BSP leader close to Akash, however, said, “It appears to be a rumour. Nothing in written has been communicated and Akash-ji’s bio on social media platforms still has his designation of (BSP) national coordinator. People who do not like the hard work put in by him may be spreading misinformation… When Behanji removed him from his posts in 2024, she formally announced it… There is no such announcement.”

A senior party functionary who attended the Delhi meeting said, “We were expecting such action after Behan-ji posted a message regarding her successor a social media on February 16.

In her post on X, Mayawati said “rishtey-naate (personal relationships)” were not important for the party and “Bahujan-hitt (interest of Bahujans)” was her top priority. She also said she wanted certain qualities in the party’s true successor and the movement it embodied. That person should, like she did as a disciple of Kanshi Ram, dedicate their life to strengthening the party and enduring every pain and struggle in the process, she said.